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IELTS

Why IELTS?

IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is the world’s most popular English language test. Last year, more than 2.2 million IELTS tests were taken globally.

Taking IELTS opens doors – it can help you live, study and work around the world. More than 9,000 organisations worldwide accept IELTS, including government, academic and employment institutions. In fact, IELTS is the only English language test accepted for immigration purposes by all countries that require one.

The IELTS test is designed to help you use English in your new life abroad. In less than three hours, it will assess all of your English skills: listening, reading, writing and speaking.

The most effective way of testing your English conversation skills is face-to-face. IELTS is the most widely accepted English language test with a one-on-one speaking test to assess your English language communication skills.

Designed by experts in English language assessment and trusted around the world, you can be sure that IELTS will give a fair and consistent assessment of your English skills.

On 6 April 2015, the UK Home Office made changes to the Secure English Language Tests (SELT) required by some Tier 4 visa applicants. We encourage you to check the full text and FAQ here.

If you are applying for a visa to move to or remain in the UK, there’s an IELTS test for you. You can find more information in our IELTS for UK Visas and Immigration section.

Why take IELTS with the British Council?

The British Council has more than 75 years’ experience teaching and testing English. We have helped people in more than 130 countries gain English language qualifications that help them make the most of their chances in life. That’s a lot of experience, and it means that if you take an English language test with us, you can be confident that you’ll be well looked after.

Here are just a few reasons why millions of people have taken IELTS with the British Council:

Expert support: from videos and books to online interactive courses, you have access to the best preparation materials to help you do well in your test

Free resources: Road to IELTS is the British Council’s popular online preparation course. When you register for an IELTS test with us you also get access to up to 30 hours of free training.

Convenient dates and locations: we have more test locations nationwide. This means that you have a huge range of options for where and when you can take your test.

Easy booking: You can book your IELTS test online and take advantage of flexible payment options.

Fast results: We guarantee you will be able to see your results online within just 13 days of the date you take your test.

1. Read the IELTS General Information

Download and read the IELTS General Information which contains important information about the test format, the question types and the test results. Please note that IELTS is not recommended for candidates under the age of 16.

2. Decide which version of the test is right for you

There are two versions of the IELTS test:

IELTS AcademicIELTS General Training

Read our simple guide to help you decide which version of the test is right for you.

3. Check the IELTS test dates for your preferred centre

There are a limited number of places for all our IELTS test sessions. To make sure you get a place, we recommend that you register two months before your chosen test date. Of course, places may be available after this date. Find out more about test dates and venues.

Please note: Your Listening, Reading and Writing test will be completed on the same day. Your Speaking test may be offered on the same day, or up to a week before or after your main test day. You will receive notification in advance if your Speaking test is on a different day to your main test day.

4. Register online

Please ensure you are able to provide the documents in step 5 and are able to pay using one of the payment methods in step 6.

5. Prepare and send your documents

Once you have filled up your application form, don't forget to attach a copy of your identity document (ID). If you're Malaysian, you can attach a copy of your NRIC or passport. You will need to bring the ID you registered for the test on the test day itself. You will not be allowed to take the test if you bring a different ID as that reflected on your application form.

If you are non-Malaysian, you will need to attach a copy of your passport.

6. Choose your payment options

The IELTS test fee for the Academic OR General Training module is RM750.00 (inclusive of GST). You can pay for your test in one of the following ways:

In person at the British Council reception desk. The following centres accept the following modes of payment:

Centre

Cheque

Credit Card

Cash

Kuala Lumpur

Yes

Yes

Yes

Penang

Yes

Yes

Yes

Via a bank transfer

Kuala Lumpur & Penang Centres:

Bank: Citibank Bank Swift Code: CITIMYKL Account Number: 0-115889-028

Cash Deposit must be made through the Citibank counter and not via the cash machine (ATM Machine). If you wish to pay by cheque deposit, you may drop the cheque into the corporate box at Citibank.

Note:

Payment by cheque is acceptable only for test dates of two weeks or more from the date of registration.

For payment made by bank transfer and cash/cheque deposit, please scan a copy of the bank-in slip and email it to the test centre you have registered with. The email addresses of our test centres are below :

7. After your Registration

Those registering in person will receive a confirmation receipt and Road to IELTS access details.

Copies of your results If you would like your results to be sent to universities or other educational institutions, please enter the relevant addresses in the appropriate fields on the online registration form. We can issue a maximum of five copies per student.

Special Arrangements

IELTS is designed to be a fair test and your English language ability will be assessed objectively, regardless of any special needs that you may have.

We can help you with any special arrangements you require for your test. For example, we offer support for people with visual impairments, hearing difficulties and dyslexia.

Please contact us three months in advance of your test date to find out how you can apply for special arrangements.

Refunds

If you want to request a refund, please read our refund policy prior to making a request.

If you want to do this, please complete and submit a request for refund form along with the supporting evidence. We will need to receive your request and supporting evidence at least five calendar days after the test date.

Test day transfers

If you want to transfer to a different test date, you need to notify us at least five weeks prior to the test date you have registered for. To do this, please complete and submit a Request for Transfer Form.

Prepare

If you book your IELTS test with the British Council you can take advantage of our exclusive access to a wide range of learning materials – all designed to help you get the best possible score in your IELTS test.

1. Road to IELTS Course – 30 hours of free online study

Road to IELTS is written by the British Council for IELTS students. It is a popular online self-study resource for listening, reading, writing and speaking practice. It includes:

IELTS results online, self collection and by post

Your IELTS results (also known as your Test Report Form) will be available at British Council offices 13 days after the date of the main test day. You may also request for your results to be sent to you by courier and a fee will be charged.

You will not be able to obtain your results over the phone, by email or by fax.

Test Report Form (TRF)

You will receive one copy of the Test Report Form. Unfortunately, replacements cannot be issued if you lose it. However, we can send original copies to receiving institutions of your choice for a period of two years from your test date.

Additional Test Report Forms (TRFs) for institutions

You may request for up to a maximum of five additional TRFs to be posted to receiving institutions (e.g. universities, immigration officers, etc.) free of charge. If you would like us to do this, please include the complete addresses when you register. Requests for additional TRFs made after the test day or requests exceeding the first five is chargeable at RM37.00 (inclusive of GST) per TRF.

The validity period of your Test Report Form

Institutions will not usually accept a Test Report Form that is more than two years old. After this time you will need to provide them with evidence that you have maintained or improved your English since taking the test.

Understand your IELTS scores

IELTS provides results for all levels of English: there is no such thing as a pass or fail. You will be given a score from zero to nine for each part of the test – Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking

How to query your score

It is unusual for there to be a mistake in the marking. However, if you believe a mistake has occurred you can apply to our Enquiry on Results Service to have your test re-marked. This must be done within six weeks of the test date. You can choose which sections of the test you want to have re-marked.

There is a fee for the Enquiry on Results service, which will be refunded should your overall score change as a result of the re-marking. The Enquiry on Results Service can take up to eight weeks to complete. Please contact us for further information about how the service works.

Can I re-take the test?

You can take the test as many times as you wish. However, please note that to significantly improve your score it is necessary to undertake further study. IELTS research indicates that scores are unlikely to improve without further English language tuition.